Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-01-29
TIE NEW ENGLAND FISHERMEN
AND PROTECTION.

-
AND PROTECTION.
There is more in that little game that
the New England fishermen are anxious to
have the Government play with Canada,
than is apparent at first sight. The New
EnglanderS are great advocates Of ''protec-
ton, aud the people OF the country have
accorded it to them. High duties have
been placed upon Canadian hsh, 80 that the
New Englanders have almost a monopoly
of the trade.
This is all well enough, providing the
fishermen accept it with good grace and are
willing to accord to their fellow citizens
the same protection. But how is it? The
owners of fishing vessels, while crying out
for protection Tor American labor" in
stead of hiring their fellow citizens who
want employment, for crews on their YES
sells, employ Canadians. \ large part Of
the crews are composed of Canadians.
Then while they raised the same pro
lection" cry, instead Of buying their sup
plies in American ports, the products of
American labor, they have the habit of
taking on very Scant outfits in American
ports and then run into Canadian ports,
and buy their coal, provisions and other
supplies, where they can get them cheaper.
Is this fair to the American citizens who
have So generously accorded them proteC-
ton? The Canadian Government inter
1918. And the landing to buy supplies is
now the cause of the great difficulty that
has now so engrOSSed Congress. Is it fair
that the two Governments should he EN-
broiled ON such grounds?
Another thing. The New England
wooden manufacturers have been we'll pro-
tected from the competition of foreign man
utacturers. This is all right and good.
But what policy have they been pursuing
toward the wool growers of the country?
Advising that the tariff that now gives in-
sufficient protection TO the wool grower,
be increased? Not by any means. They
have been using their utmost to
have wool placed on the free list,
thus making it possible for them to import
their wool from Australia and other foreign
countries, where it can be raised at few
cents per pound, thereby bringing ruin
upon the sheep industry Of the country.
Not only this. They have in the past two
weeks been urging Secretary MANNING to
make certain decisions, whereby some
grades of wool will come in at a much low
er rate of duty than at present
We like tolsee men Inconsistent What
is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gan
der. If protectiOn is good thing for the
owners of New England fishing vessels, it
is good thing for the American working
man who would like to be employed as
one OF the crew, and the farmer and manu-
faeturer whOare willing to furnish supplies
fit is a good thing for the wooden manu-
facturer, it is equally as good for the wool
grower.
When we think of these things, the
buster made in the Senate a few days ago,
about retaliation on Canada, seems more
school boyish than ever. Every true
American citizen wants the dignity of his
country upheld at whatever cost; bat we
think that if a little more attention were
given to fair play between man and man,
he New England fishermen would never
have placed themselves in position to de-
mand the interference Ofthe U. s. Govern
ment.